Shell feeding mechanism for cannons



July 29, 1952 s. scHlFF 2,604,820

SHELL FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CANNONS Filed Deo. 18, 1945 8 .Sheets-Sheet 1 Si Y.

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SHELL FEEDING .MECHANISM FOR CANNONS Filed Dec.. 18, 1945 A s sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR.

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fw NJ l/MMMJMM July 29, 1952 s SCHll-F 2,604,820

SHELL FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CANNONS Filed Deo. 18, 1945 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR. bGMUND SCL-MCI:

BY WMMXM TTORNQYS July 29, 1952 s. scHlFF SHELL FEEDING MECHANISM FOR cANNoNs 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 18, 1945 IN VEN TOR. SKSMOND SCi-UCI:

TTOPNYS July 29,' 1952 s. scHlFF 2,604,820

SHELL FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CANNONS Filed Dec. 18, 1945 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 TMF iii IN VEN TOR. '5\GMOND SCL-HFC zfywwfm@ ATTORNEYS July 29, 1952 s. scHlFF- 2,604,820

SHELL FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CANNONS Filed Dec. 18, 1945 Egg-E1 INVENTOR. SlGMOND SCL-HCI:

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ATTOENEKS.

July 29, 1952 s, SH|F| 2,604,820

SHELL FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CANNoNs Filed Dec. 18, 1945 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 1N V EN TOR.

Si l.) D LMT-Tl: HQ@ BY @M N s@ L/MMM 1X3" TOENEH July 29, 1952 s. scHlFF 2,604,820

' SHELL FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CANNONS Filed Dec. 18. 1945 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 NI/ENTOR. SIGMUND SCHICC Patented July Z9, 1952 Y UNITED STATES PATENTA Y O FFICEv 2,604,820 SHELL FEEDING MECHANIsM FOR cANNous l Sigmund sohiir, cincinnati, ohio, assigiioi 1:61 f; 'ff- Ll United States of Americaasrepresented by ,thej'` Secretary of WarV Application December 1s, 1945, serial No( 635,819

25 Claims. (C1. ssi-33) (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883,- as

` The invention described Vherein may be manufacturedand used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, Without the payment to me of any royalty thereon. -V

This invention relates to means for A,feeding ammunition to guns of heavy caliber. More particularly. the invention pertains to mechanism for feeding rounds of ammunition to automatic and semiautomatic weapons.

There are several instances in the recent development of, and military requirements in, heavy caliber weapons wherein the tendency is toward a design characterized by one-man control of the loading, aiming and firing operations. One particular vexample is that'in which a heavy caliber weapon is mounted in aircraft and is arranged to be operated by the .aircraft pilot. In these circumstances it is desirable that the weapon be either completely or preferably semiautomatic. The successful design and operation of a weapon having this latter characteristic requires that op' erationsnecessary to condition the Weaponfor firing-.such as extraction and ejection of :the cartridge; case of a previously iired round and feeding andloadingofa new round-be performed insuch a `manner that the operator has only Vto, actuatethe firing mechanism; in short, so that all;functioning of the weapon occurs in response to a single vcontrol means that involves only-,aingle operation by the operator, whether such functioning is either automatic or semiautom'aticf 'as these terms are understood in military par-lance.

VInmy copending application, Serial Number 'The vpresent invention pertains to a single compigment` of s uch an automatic weapon; namely, the mechanism for feeding rounds of ammunition successively to positions from which they may be loaded or delivered into the breech of the weapon.- As will be hereinafter more clearly` broughtout, the preferred embodiment of the invention 'herein disclosed is particularly adapted foruse vin conjunction With automatic weapons mountedrin aircraft and, specifically with Weapons,

of comparatively heavy caliber, e. g., '75 mm. or 1.0 5A mm.; however, `as Will be` clear tothose skilled in,v the art, various desirable features of' the invention are 'similarly applicable for adaptation to and use with weapons of smaller or larger caliber Aand weaponsothervvise mounted, as for example,

permanently emplaced Weapons or weapons mounted in vehicles or ships.

amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) Y rangement of a semiautomatic `weapon embodying shell-feeding mechanism constructed accord- The invention has for its principal ob'j'ectthe provision ofrmeans by which runds of ammunition may be individually and successivelyefedaor delivered from a position in a magazinerorshellf: carrying means to a loading' position from which they may be successively fed into a gun for .firing-j, in this respect it is specifically an object: of theV invention to adapt the feeding mechanismlfor use in a'semiautomatic weapon in which such feeding mechanism Vfconstitutes a componentinl theffeeding, loading and firing cycle.V .l 1 It is an important object of the invention .to provide such feeding mechanism for ja weapon-of the recoiling type and to provide means by which the mechanism may be operated bypowerre-v ceived from the recoiling' gun. 15:1- Y

Another important objectY ofthe invention is to provide shell-delivery' meansimounted 'fori movement Vfrom a position out of the path of re. coil of the Weapon to a-position breechwardly` 'off theweapon so that a shellmay be delivered from a series of shells adjacent the Weapon vin zit-'niem-u ner that will notinterfere with normalreco'il movement of the weapon. f Other objects ofV theinvention areb tog'provide shellcarrying" means forY supporting` 7a4 series? of shells:V` adj acent the Weapon; to provide Ine'an's'op.-` erable in response to recoil of the weapon to de?i liver shells from the shell-carrying means toa shell-delivery means; to provide means for ad# vancing the series of shells so that the next shell in the series is positioned for delivery'by the ,de--v livery means in the next successivel feeding-cycle; to provide power means particularly in theform of energy-storing means capable of being loaded by power received' from the gun in recoil-'andVv arranged for reactionV to operateA the feeding mechanism after the Weapon v has `returned to battery; to provide shell-delivery'means .ingtlhe form of a swinging sh'ell'tray thatincludes means; thereon for retaining the shell therein until'thil delivery of the shell into the breech of the weaponvis completed; to provide mechanism on` the shellsupporting means cooperablewith the snelliretaining means for insuring the proper retention of individual shells in A'the shell'tray; and to procycle'of the weapon'. .1

Y The foregoing and otheridesirab1eobjeots"a of achieved in one preferred form .ifth'`- invention as' described in detail in the following specifica?- tion and illustrated in thev accompanying'sheets of drawings inV which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the aring to thepresent invention; y Y

,.-igsA '2, 3, 4. 5 and 6 are end elevational views' 3 showingsuccessive stages in the cycle of operation of the shell-feeding mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of the lower portion of the feeding mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a similar View of the upper portionl of the mechanism (Figs. 7 and 8 may be assembled,

Fig. 7 below and Fig. 8 above, to aif'ord an illus-f tration of the complete structure) ;V

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. l'I and showing in detail `the construction of the energy-storing means for actuation of the feeding mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on anenlargedscale showing the construction of part of the means for rotating the feed screws, the view being taken on `theline IU-lll of Fig.. '7; v

."".:'ig`.`1'11isv a fragmentary view. of a portion of thel'breech ofthe weapon and illustrating the means-on the weaponV which is cooperable with thefeeding mechanismto impart to the latter the 4power generated by motion of the .weapon in recoil; and

Fig. 12 iS an elevationto an:enlarged scaleY ofthe grooved shaft for operating theshell-feeding mechanism in-responseto upward or return movement of, the` shell .trayfrom loading position.

For the purposesof clarity, the rst portion of the description will pertain to the general construction and arrangement ofthe feeding mechanism. andits relation to a recoiling gun. The particular type of weaponand mount chosen for the: purposes i illustratonwmprises a mount 2,0,havingtrunnion mounts 2| each provided at itsupper partwith a bearing inwhich a respective trunnion 22l isjournaled. "Trunnionsl 2 2 are rigidly connected inalened relation to opposite sideso a cradle.'withinwhich gun tube; 32 iS longitudinally s lidable. A gun of this type is shown in the U. S. patent t0' Lucht 2,358,340.- Th?. .mecllaflsm f0.1'. conllng. '019.551.111 mbe. in recoil. and; in. its. return.. t0 battery rfrl'vfiinrfl intliegannular spate between the suhftube and.

the surroundinasvrpcrthe Sleeve-.or cradle 24! 'I he rearward portion, of the sleeve 2li is herein Shown. 21S-.beine brcviledwth bracket Structure 25.v A connection-25a between bracket structure iandfmount' operates t rigidly, hold theg'un against elevationfand depression." As was heretofrjeexplairiei'the particular, typefof mount her illustrated that adapted for use inthe In` yin'gfof the, gullV 23"in aircraft, which s'ta'cewth gn is Xedavgainst'taVerSe and elevation lor depression. Itwill therefore be understood thatithefgun 23 may be mounted otherwise thanon the mount 2.0, or'Qin a manner similary tothe usual mounting lof artillery weapons,

supporting `'sleeve orcradlefzii and rearward bracket` structure '25 has supported thereon aflongitudinallyjextending, generally' cylindrical housing 2'6, the mounting means'for the rear end of the `housing beinglindicated as aipairv o-f spaced' brackets 26a ybolted'toz the' bracket' structureY 25 ofthe gun 23. "The housing 2 5carrieswfor reciprooation` therein a longitudinally extending ram` :ner ,shaft '21, 'onlythe jrea'r end Vportionof which is Vvvisible inthe. drawings, The Udetails' of` the particular rammer herein 'illustrated' are` clearly brought out in my copendingapplication, Serialn No. 635,817, filed December 18; 1945,Y now Patent Number 2,520,965, wherein it is'srlown. that thev rammer'Zl isdriven rearwardly with respect to the housing 26in response to recoilofthe gun 23. The rammer Aremains in this rearwardv position whilethegun'returns tobattery. 'A pivoted latch 28, controlled by a solenoid 29 mounted on the housing 26, serves as means for releasably locking the rammer in its rearward position. Also, as clearly brought out in my copending application just referred to, the rammer is returned to the position shown in Fig. 1 by means of reacting springs contained in a housing 30 formed as a coaxial extension of the housing 26. An arm 3l carried at the rear end of the rammer 2l is positionable while in its rearward position to engage a round of ammunition and, when the rammer is released by energizing the solenoid 29 to release the latch 28, the rammer arm 3l delivers or loads a round of ammunition axially into the breech of the gun 23. It will be understood that other types of rammingmechanism maybe suitably employed in conjunction with thefeeding' mechanism to be. presently described; accordingly, the presently illustrated .rammer has not been set forth in greater detail.

The gun tube, herein designated as 32, projects rearwardly of the supporting sleeve 24 and- .is provided. in the usual manner with a breech ring 33. The illustration in Fig. 11 is taken from the opposite side of the illustration shown in Fig. 1. The breech structure ofthe presently illustrated weapon is of the type in which the breechblock is automatically opened and closed in response to movement of the weapon out of and into battery.

The numeral 34 designates a cam member mounted at the left side ofthe breech ringand comprising part of mechanism, indicatedv gen-v erally at 35, for opening and closing the breech-Y block. However, the present importance ofthe Y cam member .3a lies not inits function as part of f actuate the shell-feeding mechanism constituting the basis of the present invention.

As shown generally in Fig. 1, thefeeding mechanism is a` unitary structure that may be utilized in conjunctionwith the presently illustrated weapon or in` conjunction with other weapons. The mechanism isprovided withv sup-v portingV structure, indicated. generally at 36,-Lwhich is carried at its lower portions on a-longitudinallyV extending tubular support 3l. As shown in. Fig.. 1,V the rear end of the supporting tube 3l is mounted at the upper end of a suitablebracket or support 38 having a flanged base 39 bymeans of which thebracket may be secured to a. supportingA base or the like, herein designated at 40. This basemay be the iloor or other suitable component of the fuselage fof an airplane or vmay be any othersuitabl mounting componenti-n Vany other instance in whichy the feeding mechanism isv utilized. The forward portion of the supporting tube 3l may likewise be suitably mountdon the floor orbase 45. Thesupporting structure 35 includes a rigid supporting frame comprising a fris-"shown particularly in Figs. 1 andfafthe uprighthmembers il and l2 are preferably castmgs 'and are rigidly cross-connected vadjacent their upper en'dsby intermediate frame structure e3. provided. with? suitable attaching flanges through which` securing studs 44 arepasse'd and threaded into the :respective.sidelportions of 'the uprights. The intermediate frame: 43 is I provided adjacent its lowerportion Vwitlfia dependingwallv structure 45 having. .acentral vertical. lweb'f.-sec.Vl

tank, etc.

carry -rotatably therein a vertical feed element Y in the vform of a feed screw or helix 56, provided at its lower and upper ends with stub shaft portions mounted respectively in thebearings 48 and 49. The rearward support 42 carries a similar feed screw or helix 5| provided at its upper end with a shaft extension 52 and at its lower end with a shaft extension 53, which shaft sections are. rotatably carried respectively in the bearings. 49 and 43 of the upright 42 just referred to. Because of the semi-cylindrical shape of the uprights 4| and 42, the feed screws 56 and 5| are enclosed* about one-half of their peripheries, the front half of each feed screw beingopen to receive and carry a series of shells, as will hereinafter appear vin detail.

The upper shaft extension 52 (see Fig. 8) has pinned ,thereto for rotation therewith a bevel Y -pinion 54 which is in constant mesh with a bevel pinion 55 carried on a longitudnalhorizontal shaft 56. Each of the uprights 4| and 42 is provided with auxiliary supporting structure 51 including an appropriate bearing 58 for the proximate end of the shaft 5 6.Y Each housing 51 is provided with, a suitable removable cover 59. The housing 51 at the'forward upright 4i encloses bevel pinions (not shown) similar to the bevel pinions 54 and 55, by means of which the feed screw 59 maybe driven by the feed screw 5|. The connections are such thatthe feed screws rotate in opposite directions. The shaft extension 52 on: the feedscrew 5| extends vertically through the covery59 on the housing 51 and has pinned, or otherwise secured thereto, at its free end means such as a crank 69 by which manual rotation of the feed screws 5|)v and' 5| .may be eectecl.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1,'1, l0 and 12 tne'iower shaft extensiones is provided with a. spiral or helical groove .or track 6|, which makes one turn about the shaft. The shaft '53 is providedv further with a second groove orf track 62 which runs longitudinallythereof parallel to the shaft axis. The helical groove 6| beginsat its lower. end at an intermediate portion of the ber 63 hasa radially outwardly extendingsleeve portion 65, which is bored to receive A'the plunger or follower 64 and a compression spring 66, and which isfurther externally threaded to receive a closure cap 61 provided with a bore through which lthe plunger 64 extends externally. The

'outer end of theV plunger is Vprovided with an operating member 68 by means of which the plunger64 may be retracted against compression Aof 'thespring 66ja'nd out "of engagement with either groove' 6|V or 62.A The spring 65also serves 6I to maintain the' plunger 6 4 in engagement with the grooves or tracks 6| and 62.A The relationship between the lshaftextension 53, with its grooves 6| .and 62, and the sliding member 63,.with its plunger 64, is such 4that axial movement vof the sliding member. 63 from thelower portion of the shaft 53 to the upperzportion thereof effects one complete revolution of the shaft 53 and feed screws 50 and. 5|, whereas axial movement of the sliding member 63 downwardly on the shaft 53 does' not cause rotation of the feed screws, since thevplunger 64 in the sliding member 63 is following the s traight'groove 62.

The junctionv of the initiating pointer thel helical groove 6| with the intermediate portion..

Y of the straightv groove 62 is provided with means.

groove 62 and terminates at its upper end at a whereby the plunger 64,` upon upward movement.'

of the sliding member 63, is forced to engage the.v helicalgroove 6| and is prevented from return-v ing upwardly in the straight groove 62. In the: -present instance this means is established by a. slight barrier or step 69 formed by the deeperI recession of the helical groove 6|. Consequently,

as the plunger 64, during downward motion of` the sliding.member 63, is following the straight.`

groove. 62, it passes thebarrier 69 and/continues4 downwardly in the lower and more deeply ree cessed portionof the groove 62. Upon upward'. movement of the sliding member 63, the plunger 64 follows the lower portion of the straight groove 62 until the barrier or step 59 is reached.. At this point .the compression spring 6 6, maintaining constant, radially inwardly directed pressure on the plunger 64, prevents the plunger from climbing into the upper portion of the straight groove |32r and forces the plunger to follow the helical groove6|, thus effecting the desired rotation of the shaft 53 and feed screw/5|, which rotation in turn causes, by means of the bevel pinionsin the housing 51, reverse rotation of the feed screw 56. l

As best shown irrFigs. land 7, the Ylower end of the shaft 53 of the feed screw 5| is journaled in a suitable-bearing mount 18 removably secured by bolts 1| to thelower'portion'of the upright 42 just above thesupporting tube 31.

As explainedabove, eachupright support 4| and 42 of the supporting structure 36 is mounted at its lower end on the supporting tube 31. The

rearward upright ,421sr provided at the portion thereof adjacentthe support 31 witha pair of longitudinally spaced, laterally extending ears 12 which carry opposite ends of a longitudinallyextending pin or shaft 13. An arm 14 is mounted.

upright 42 is cut out, as at 42a, to accommodate movement of the arm 14. The upper end of the link 16 is bifurcated and embraces the sliding member 53. A pair of trunnions 11 provide means by which the driving link 16 is pivotally connected to the sliding member 63. Since the link lfcannot rotate-but can pivot only on the pins 15-it. serves to. prevent rotation of the sliding member 63 and confines movement of the member 63 to axialmovement up and down the shaft As best shown inFigs. 1 and 7, the supporting tube 31 has rockably mounted thereon means arranged for acutation by the cam member 34 -onthe breech ringv 33 ofthe gun 2 3., This means takes. the. form ,-'ofga shoe cream 16 V.having ,a

acca-,seca

supportingl tube 31. The shoe or cam. 18 extendsrv parallel to` thetube 3:1. and-is rprovidedzwith acamy surface along itslower. edge.' .which extends. gen1- erally. horizontally vforwardand then inclines;.1'1p",v wardly.. As will hereinafterappeanthe shoeor cam 18 isL rocked. about the axis .oi the tube 31 by. thecam member-34; upon recoil. ofthe g'un.-

The. shoe. orcam 18. includes at Vits rearV end,. preferably. integral. therewith, .anuupwardly ex.- tending driving, arm .80;'connect'ed1bymeans of a pivot pin 8| to a short, laterallyr extendinglink 82. The A link 82.` is;.in.turn..pivotally' connected by a pin 83 to av driving plunger-assembly.v 842 mounted` for reciprocation4 ina .horizontal cylinder 85lformed ina.- housing BIS-rigidlycarried on theY supporting tube.v31. betweenthe shoe or cam- 18. and the-Vrear-upright support 42. shown in Fig. 9, the-reciprocating plunger Sitcomprises a sleeve-f 81 internally threaded at one end and v.receiving-therein-an externally threaded capor. head. 88. The-.opposite end` ofthe housing 86'- is internally threaded-and receives aplug 89v` 25.3 connected-across thev cradle-portions. thereof .byia

against which abutsone end of'a relativelypow-A erful driving spring- 98,- the other-endof which is received byand-"abuts-the cap or head-f 88- ofthe-plunger assembly 841 Anupper-- portion of the. housing 86 isprovided with -a` slot' 9| disposedV transversely ofthe axis ofI reciprocation of the plunger 85-and-bordered bya pair of spaced ears-92. A latch 93ispivoted` on apin S34-car ried by the --ears 92 and has its -lower- -portionV ex tendingl through thes1ot--9I-\ and finto the cylinder 85 of the housing Y86. The latch 9-3--is formedwith an upper arm-Qwhi'chextendsabove lthel ears-92- to a position in--Which-itv may be actulatch-93Jandatits other-end--to -apin\91 carriedby-thelspacedears 92-lof thef'housing-.Bl` TheY arrangement is such'thatthe spring 96 normally tends( to pivot the latch-193 through the-slot9| 4so-r that lit-rests oni-thelupper peripheral portions of the-sleeve 8150i the driving plunger iid-When the spring -'isnotfcockedz ora-loaded.- Thusywheno A .50.:1 free end' of which. th'eforwardend' of the rodf I I5 the plunger-:84,5 becausevof.- itsrconnectionifwiththe Y'driving- 'arm-J 89 (linie-321 andpins i8 I i: and: -83 is moved-- axially fin; the V:cylinder 85;' compressing' the/coi-lspring 98;.; When:the,-:outer;.-end ofzthe:

plunger 84.-.: passes -1 the l slot.y 9 I in the. housingnthellatchx93-, by means. of action-of :the springplll;

is\.piv'oted on .the pin-grand ydrops.behindthe:v plunger.- 84j thus z-.retainingthe-positions -iof :the-z parts with the. coil 'springt 98:;under :compressione In- =other..rwords,= the structure.. just described.. op'-v crates as ,an energy-storing meansgloadedby'acr. tionfo-the gun-in recoil. v l f The-1-pin- 15;-l. previously f described-,las forming; thespivotalconnection. between: the-vrupwardlyQ4 curvinggarmll and the;.driving-link .16; extends-3. forward-ly andjformsfmeans byLwhichi the -arrntf14 l isiconnected toene-.end of 1adriving linka-98.`As/z best-shown in Fig; 1.7;* the.:-pin.z83,;byr means;- whichfthe -driving 4link k82 islconnected .to :the dr ing plunger assembly 84, extends through the..

plunger lIl-landprojects laterallyat. opposite sides ofthcylindrical housing B8-andy at its end op positet's--connection' to .the-linkil-BZ, is .-zpivotallyr. connectedto the driving-link 985; The `pin 83.-is;1;

secured-'inane plungerwdsby alzlock pini-8311;.. The-A75.theyerticalguidemeinbers I I8 is suc'lias'to con-#l As best.

housing: V86. is provided'v with a pair of diametri# cally opposedl slots 99. within which the pin 83y rides as. the plunger assembly 84 is reciprocated in the housing. I

As best shown` in: Figures 2 and` 7, for example, each-upright support 4 I yand-42 has rigidly secured thereto at it'souter side a bearing bracket |80 (onlyroneof which is shown). A shaft IOI isV mounted at its opposite ends in the bracketsv |00 10 andra sleeve I82is rotatably carried on the shaft I-.8i|. .The shaft-|01 and sleeve, I02`servefto mount shellfdeliveryf' means on the supporting structure- 36inv a mannerto-cooperate WithV the feed screws 5,0. and 5I invdelivering. shells to a positionr 15, from whichvsuch shells .may be loaded by the rammer 21-3Iinto the breech of the-gun 23'. InV the4 present' instance. the shell-delivery means' takes the. formi. of. a tray,v designated generally by thenumeral- |03, comprising apairof arms 2Q@ IIMT secured in longitudinally spaced apart rela'- tionto the sleevek |02; As best shown in Fig. 2 for example, each arml'isformed generallylas a reverse S,- the free end of which includes a4 cradle portion'k |85. The-arms I4- are rigidly' pair ofparallel supporting-strips. |86: Thesup porting strips |86 extend at their forward: ends.- to apoint generally in alignment. with the forward edge of thelforward upright supportbdl". 3@The1:rearWardends of theV supporting'strips extend rearwardly lbeyond the rearward upright support 42' and generally in alignment with-a ver; tical, groovedguidingv strip |01 which is supported at-its upper and lower endsbyfbrackets! |08and' 35,;189, respectively, rigidly secured to therearward-y side of the rear support 42; The upper bracket!v includes any outwardlyA and downwardly curved'. supporting arm II-wvhich carries atits freelendll one end of a longitudinally-extending vrod I I I, the: 40,-! other end-'of which is supported in the free endof' asimilar curvedarrn-I I2 rigidly mounted on' the.Y front upright 4I by means-ofan'extension sup-f. port'II 3. Thelower bracket |09 includesfan out-f' wardly and upwardly curved supporting-armi Ill(V 45 which carries the freeend 0falongitudi'nally extending'rod II5. A lower extension support IIS isrigidly carried bythe forward v"side -ofy the forward upright 4I and includes an outwardly and. upwardlycurv'ed Isupporting arm I I'I-onth'e is mounted. The mounting of therods'A I I I aridi"v II5 is such' that they"are disposed outwardly'fof-l-l the feedjscrews 59 and5| a distancesubstantig'illyequal `to the` caliber ofthe 'ammunition 'for 'which' 55V the feedingY mechanism is adapted. A pair oi" vertical guide members I I8;` rigidlycarried bythe supportingrods III andI I5; completes the guide" structure which cooperates .withfthe r 'feed screws"l 5`and5| in the feedinglof jshells .to'thetray 103i* Asbestish'own in Figs.' 2 "and8; for 'example,tlie-`V configuration ofeach.feed screw is such that thecontinuous spiral forming' the .helix thereof -pro Vides ,a plurality of vertically spaced pocketsy shapedtoreceive and engage apluralitylor 'series-l 65,v of` horizontallyY disposed "rounds tof ammunition such as shells- I I9. Tl'el shells or.rounds hereinl illustratedlare of .usual'design and include afproi jectile. I2Il2andsh`ell case I2I.' Each shell ca'se' incluvdes-.atit'sbase-a rim |22, as is conventional:-

.701 Asbest shown inlFigs...1`and 8, theguidestrip IIlIis. provided-,with a-groove .which receivesand guides ...the inner .portions of. vthe shells I I9; thus? preventing the shells from endwise' displacement.-v As shown. in. Fig. .2, for rexample, the locationr of ne the shells or rounds I9 to the feed screws 50 and 5|. It will be noted also that the upper'end of each guide member ||8 curves upwardly and outwardly so that the spacebetween the guides 8 and feed screws 50 and 5| is enlarged, thus permitting the loading of shells into the. feed mechanism. It will also be noted that the upper and lower extension supports ||3 and H8 provide for the disposition of the supporting arms ||2 and I I 1 sufficiently far forwardly on the supporting structure 36 to clear the noses of the projectiles |20. Each of thelongitudinally eX- tending supporting strips |06 on the tray |03 is provided -at its rearward end ,with a retaining clip |23\..(Figure.8) which, in addition to the grooved guidestrip cooperateswiththe rims |22 of the shellsl I9 to prevent endwise displacement of the shells while in position in the feed-'supporting structure 36. The clips |23 serve by themselves to retain a shell against endwis'e displacement rearwardly when such :shell is carried by the traylt.v .`f n As best shown in Fig. 7, the driving link 98y is spaced on the connecting pin 'l5 from the arm 14 and the pin 15 receives in this space the lower end of an upwardly extending link |24, the upper end of which ispivotally connected by a pin |25 to the rearward arm |04 of the tray |03. The link S8, formingthe'connection between the pin 83 and the links 76 and |24, is provided with a pair of longitudinal slots 26 and |21 which cooperate respectively with the pins 15 and 83 to provide for necessary lost motion as the driving spring 90 is compressed in the housing 86 by the plunger 84. 'I'he details of the functioning of the link 98 in this respect will be clearly brought out in the description of the operation of the mechanism.

The connecting pin |25, by means of which the link |24 is connected to the rear arm |04 of the vtray |03, is formed with an extension at the inner bell crank fulcrumed or pivoted on the pivot pin ing ear |34 to which is connected one end of a y tension spring |35, the other end of which is connected by a pin |35 to the arm |04 of the tray |03. The function of the springs |35 is to resiliently maintain the rollers |33 on the retaining varms |32 in engagement with the shell in the tray. Y v

When the tray is carrying a shelLrthe' normal position of the actuating arms |3| is such that these arms lie alongside-the intermediate portion of the tray'arms |04.V It is an important feature of the present invention to providemeans for maintaining the 'shell-retaining elements positively in engagement with the shell in the tray as the tray swings on its pivot 0| from Ythe position shown in Fig. 2 to the position yshown in Fig.A 5, and vto lincorporate in this means, mechanism 60. portion |45 provided witha square openingf' |46.

for retractingl oropening the shell-retaining ele- 375 vThe shaft |39 haspivotally mounted thereon a pair of downwardly and laterally extending actuating plates |40. Torsion springs |4| are car- `riedon'the shaft |39 andare respectively perigageable between the plates- |40 and the bracket |38 and serve as means for resiliently urging' the Vplates |40 upwardly against Aa 'stopf .pin l|42 vextending longitudinallybetween the depending sidewall portions of the bracket `|38 (Figlia).

Each plate |40 isprovided with an oifset vguide portion |43 cooperable withgrollersl |44,resp ec tively, on-the actuating arms |3| Vof the shell- 'retaining'elementsl28 and |30; As will b ehereinafter more fully explained in detail, the guide portions |43 ofthe guiding plates |40 respectively engage the rollers |44 of the shell-retaining elements 28 and |30v during upward and downward swinging of the tray |03. As the tray moves downwardly, the rollers |44 ride on the upper surfaces Vof the guide portions |43 (liigfe)v until the tray-reachesV its lowermost position wherein the shell is aligned Awith the chamber or breech ofthe gun-23. During upward movement of'the tray, the rollers |44 engage the under surfacesof the guideiportions |43 (Fig. 6), thus causin'gretraction or opening of the-retaining elements |23 and |30 so that the cradle portion |05 of the tray may receive-another'shell from the-feed screws 5|) and 5|.v l As indicated in Figs. 1 vand 7,the upper andflower surfaces of the guide portions |43 ofetheplates. |40 may be provided with wear Strips, :.Wl' l. .l

:As previouslystated, the movement of the tray |03 during f the loading vandiiringv cycles,v is between the'positionshown in Fig. 2 andthe position shownvin Fig-5. Itwill be noted that the tray; |03 consequentlyswings from a shellreceiving position (Fig. 2), above and to one side of the-extended axis ofthe 'bore of -the gun 23,

. to ak shell-delivery position (Fig- 5) in which `the tray supports theshell substantially in axial alignment with. the bore of the gun.. ,Itwill be further noted, however, that movementof the vtray must be. so timed with respect to .'recoilinf;

yof the gun that the tray will be out of tliepath of the recoiling parts of the gun. Consequently,

it; isde'siredthat the tray ,be in shell-receiving position (Fig. 2).`when.the weapon recoils.ljFor ,this purpose, there is provided, according tojithe present invention, means forcontrollingthe positioning or movement of the shell tray |03.

Each tray arm |04 isprovided lwith a bearing ',Ifhe openings |46 are longitudinally aligned and "carry for reciprocation therein a longitudinally extending release or actuating bar |41, whichfis square in cross section. Adjacent the rearward tray arm |04 the actuating vbarj|4`| has rigidly secured thereto a depending arm |48, 'thejfunction of which will appear shortly. Thefrelease bar |47 hasrigidly secured thereon, adjacent the forward trayarm |04, a flangedl collar |49'. lThe forward tray arm |04 is provided, just below the collar |43, with a pair of spacedmounting lear-s |50. A pin v| 5| is carried by the ears and inturn serves topivotally mount a swinging lever5|52,

shell-receiving position (Figures 2 and 3). 'flower-or front portion of the bracket |58 is `pro- 'aconnected to a spring-.pressedplungerl53 carried um a bore ina :boss .|54 on .the forward tray The sleeve |02on the tray-mounting shaft |0| is'provided between the tray arms |04 with asuplever |52 rabout its pivot |5| and driving the refileasebar |41 rearwardly (or to the left as viewed 1in Fig. '7) The forward'upright support 4| carries at its'inner or rear side a generally triangular Lshapedbracket |-58`having a rearwardly directed .portion on which 'is provided a lug |59. At its :extreme inner edge the bracket |58 vis provided "with:astop |60 vagainst which the proximate 4tray arm |04 abuts when the tray is in'upper or The yidedwith a similar stop IBI which limits downward movement of the tray |03. The bracket |58 includes a second llug |62 adjacent its lower "portion just `above the stop IBI.

In the operation of the feeding mechanism in :conjunction with an automatic weapon of the type-herein referred to, the shell-carryingmeans,

comprising the feed screws 50 and 5| and the gui'de'structure' H11-H8, is-loaded with a pluv`ralityor series of shells or rounds H9. As prevously described, the loading operation is performed manualy by'insertio'n of individual shells 'iat the Iupper end of the shell-retaining meansvvatti-leportion thereof Vprovided by the curved up- "perends'of the vertical guide members I8. As

each shell is loaded into the carrying means,

*the crank 60 is rotated so that the shell isad- "stanee, the shell-carrying means is capable of holding a series of five rounds. It will be assumed'that the gun has been loaded manually "withy a first round and is ready for firing. VThe tray' v| 03 is in its upperor shell-delivery position 2)-, in which position it is maintained by meansof thejengagement between the release bar |41and lug |59 on the-triangular bracket |58. The spring 90, in thecylinder housing 36, will be uncompressed. and the driving plunger B4 will be atits `extreme, endmost or outer position. The shoe or cam 18 will be in the position shown in Figs, 'l' and 2, in which position it will beengaged forl rocking on the tube 31 by theloam member 34 upon recoil of the gun 23. The rammer21 will be in its forwardmost position, in which itis normally resiliently Amaintained by meansof the springs previously referred to as V,being enclosed in the housing 30 at the forward vendlof therammer housing Vor support 26. After theweapon isiired, and the tube and breech re- .thee-s110518 about the Alongitudinal axis of the Esupporting tube 31.

AVS-th `shoe 18- is rocked, the driving plunger 84, through the .arm-80 and link 82, is moved :inwardly :the cylinder housing 8'6 to a point if where it completely ,compresses the driving spring whereupon-the latch 93 under tension of the spring 96, -drops inl behind the vdriving plungerV .84 gan. locks the plunger in position with Vthe aspringg r-loadedior cocked' for reaction. Durl12 ing .this phase of the operation, no changeoccurs in the posiions ofthe tray |03zor any of the components of the shell-carrying-means (feed screws 5U-5| and guide structure H11-H8) or in the positions of the control mechanism 'therefor (M11-|59). However, the driving arm 80 on the shoe or cam 18 is swung in a counterclockwise direction from 'its position as shown yin Fig. 2 to its ,second position as shown in Fig'. 43. Since there are no .changes in the positions lof the arm 14 and links 16 and |24, there must necessarily be provisionpfor lost motion inthe linkage between these parts and thelarm .80. Aspreviously stated, this lost motion is accommodated by provision of the slots V|215 and Y|21in the 98 whichlcooperate .with the pins l15 and 83,'respectively, to permit the link198 toassum'e' theau'pright vposition shown in Fig. 3.1' i Since the :tray |03 lremains in its shell-receiving position (Figs. 2 and 3), it is .out of the path of the recoilng breech and is likewise out of the'path of the rearwardly moving rammer arm 3|, which, as previously referred to, is driven rearwardly-upon recoil of the gun. f

^ After the gun is red and recoils, it returns to battery, but the rammer remains -in rearward position because of roperation of the latch 20 and is just rearwardly of the rear of the tray |03, so that when the tray moves to shell-delivery position, the shell therein may be engaged 'by the rammer arm. When the rammer is inarearward position the inner end of the rammer'arm is substantially in axial alignment withthe boreof ythe chamber of the gun. The release solenoidv |56 is under control of the operator and is lpreferably energizable through a suitable electrical circuit (not shown) although any other appropriate control system may be employed. VWhen the solenoid |56` is energized, its plunger |51 is driven outwardly vor forwardly into engagement with the lower lever of the lever arm |52, withv the vresult that the release bar |41 is mov-ed rearwardly, thus releasing its forward end from engagement with the lug |59 on the triangular bracket |58. The lowermost shell I9 in' the Vertical series of shells in the shell-carrying means is already received by thetray |03 and is retained therein by means of the shell-retaining bell cranks |28 and |30. The

.weight of the loaded tray is sufficient, afterrelease of the bar |41 from the lug |59, to effect movement of the tray by gravity from its position in Figs. 2 and 3, through the phase of movement illustrated in Fig. 4, to the position illustrated in Fig. 5. During downward travel of the loaded tray |03, the rollers |44 on the shell-retaining bell cranks |28 and |30 ride on the upper surfaces of the guide portions |43 of the guide plates |40. Since the path of travel of the axis of the rollers |44 is arcuate about the axis of shaft |01 as a center as the tray swings from the shellreceiving position to shell-delivery position (Fig. 2 to Fig. 5), the rollers depress the guide plates |40 against the relatively light tension of the -torsion springs |4|. It will be noted that the guide plates |40 are independently :mountedv on the supporting rod |39 to allow for variations in the -positions of the shell-retaining bellvcranks |28 and |30 caused by varying contours of different type shells.

maintained in engagement with the shell by actiQn 0f the Springs |35; when the vshell rammed from the tray |03 into the breechof the gun, the bell cranks |28 and |39 may yield in response to variations in the contour ofthe shell as the shell passes the rollers on its way to the breech. It is particularly desirable that Vthe rollers IM yield as the rim |22 of the shell passes.

`As the loaded tray |913 progresses from the po sition shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 5, lthere will be'no change in the position of the shoe or cam i8, the driving arm B or the driving plunger 8d, since the latch 93 has locked the plunger 84 in position with the coil spring 9U cocked or under compression. When the loaded tray |03 reaches the position shown in Fig. 5,Y the release Abar Il, which after release from the lug |59 has returned to fully extended position to the right because of breaking of vthe circuit to the solenoid` |55 and reactionof the springpressed plunger |53, rides over the lug |62 on the bracket |58' and the end portion thereof snaps back to engage that lug.Y This action of the parts eifects a lock that releasably retains the loaded tray in shell-delivery position. Consequently, there can be 'no accidental bouncing of the tray 4as the shell is clearedtherefrom by the rammer. t

With the tray in the positionshown in Fig. 5, l'the' release bar |41 engagesfthe lug |52 l'as aforesaid,Vv and` in addition the release arm |48 is aligned with the upper arm 95 of the release latch `lon'the housing 85. With the parts this p'osition, the shell in the tray is now ready to` be rammed into the breech or chamber of thegun.

Thecontrol means for the rammer solenoid 2S is actuated to energize the solenoid-29 vto effect release ofthe latch 2B, thus permitting the rammer to be driven forwardly, -carrying with it `the shell from the tray |03. In the preferred type of automatic weapon and control therefor, as disclosed in my copending applicatiomfserial No.

.G35-,818, `led December 18, 1945, referred to'above.

an electric circuit is provided and is controlled by switches actuated by the ramme'r when it reaches itsforward position. These switches cornplete the circuit to the tray-release solenoid |56, which whenenergized again, drives its plunger |51 against the lever |52 and causes rearward movement of the release bar UH and release arm |49.' This movement causes the release arm MS ato engage the upper arm Q5 of .the latch S3 on the cylinder housing SS--iand kwithdraws the latch from its `position behind the driving plunger-Be against the urge of spring B. Reaction of Ythe now released compression spring 9|! serves todrive the driving arm Ba in a clockwise direction and operates through the link BB to'swing the arm 11i also in a clockwise direction about its ,pivot 73. This` movement of the arm carries with it the lower ends of the links 16 and |24, which action shell-receiving position showninFig. 2 to the shell-delivery vposition shown in Figi 5, there is no rotation of the feed screws "50. and 5| ,since 'the plunger 64 on the sliding member |53,l in'its .movement down the shaft 53,`follows the straight groove 62. Consequently, the serie'sof shellsfI-IS lshown t 14 will not be advanced and the lower portions of the feed screwsE and 5| Will be vacant. When thesolenoid- |56. is energized to effect actuation of the release bar |41 and release arm |48 for the release ofthe spring-loaded plunger 84 for reaction, the link 'I6 drives the sliding member 63 upwardly on the shaft 53. During this phase of the movement ofthe sliding member 63, the plunger 64 thereof rides the groove 6| in the shaft 53, thus imparting'one revolution to the feed screw 5|, which motion is in turn imparted to the feed screw 50 in the manner previously described. As stated above, the plunger S4 of the sliding member 53 necessarily follows the spiral groove 6| in the shaft 53 because of the relation- -ship between the grooves 6| and 62 at their lower junction; that is to say, the barrier 69 formed by the deeper recession Aof the spiral groove 5| prevents the plunger. 63 in the sliding member 53 from continuing upwardly-in the groove 62. The feed screws 5d Aand 5| rotate toward each other so that anyl tendency to impart translational or longitudinal shifting of a shell by either feed screw willbe neutralized by the other feed screw and the single revolution of each advances the series of shells carried by the feed screwsso that the next lowermost shell is advanced to a position from which-it will be delivered to or received by the tray,r as the tray returns to shell-receiving position-(Big5).` Y

As shown in Fig. 6, and as previously referred to generally, the4 rollers lM-on rthe shellfretaining bell cranks |28 and |30 engage the under surfaces of the guide portions |43 on the guide-plates |48, thus causing vthe shell-retaining bell cranks to open. It will be noted that the'length of each guide portion |43 is such that the shell-retaining bell cranks are keptVV in open position until the tray IG?, moves completely to shell-receiving positionA (Fig. 2), at'which time the rollers IM ride -pastthe inner ends of the guide portions |43 and permit the` shell-retaining bell cranks to close on the .shellthat has previously been advanced to shell-delivery position. i yWhen the tray reaches the position shown in Fig. 2, the release bar |41 again engages the upper lug |59 onthe bracket |58 and the tray is locked inthat position until the next feeding cycle is initiated. The synchronous rotation offeed screws 5B and 5|, in response to upward movement of sleeve S3, feeds the shells downwardly and releases the lowermost shell to tray |03 at substantially4 the instant the tray moves into and is locked in the uppermost lposition of Figure 2. Y

YThe foregoing description pertains to the voperation of a feeding mechanism that has been made as simple and as effective as possible, with due consideration given to military requirements. As has been stated, downward movement ofthe trat7 |03 .is effected by release of the release bar' |47 from the upper locking lug |59, after which the tray depends upon the weight of itself and of the` shell ycarried thereby tomove completely to the position shownin Fig. 5. In certain circumstances itrnay beidesirable to assist downward vmovement of the tray |93 Yby spring means, for example, or someother means positively 4driving thev tray downwardly. itis contemplated that this chan'gejcan Vhe effected within the scope'of the presentinvention. 4 Likewise, numerous other modicationstand alterations may be'made in the preferred form ofthe invention'withoutv depart- -ingfrom thespirit and scope thereof las dened `intheappended1claimsj l A 1i. Shellefeeding' mechanism for a: gun having a. tube-a-nd-breech assembly: mounted for recoil, comprisinga'. support. positioned rearwardly and toone'. sideo the gun,.. means on said support at a. level above the extended axis of the tube-andbreecli assembly for carrying aseri'escf shells one above-the other with.y their axes generally horizontal', a shell tray, meansmounting said tray' on said support. rearwardly of the gunior movement from an` upper positionadjacent said shell-carrying means to receive the lowermost shellv from said series to' a lower shell-delivery position generally aligned axially with. the tube-and-breech assembly, means operable to move said tray uptwardly relatively to. said shell-carrying means to shell-receiving' position, driving means powered bythe recoil of the tube-and-br-eech assembly for actuating said tray-moving means, means responsive to upward movement of' said tray for actuating said' shell-carrying means to release the lowermost shell'of said-series onto said tray and simultaneously positively advancing said series of shells to position the next shell in positionto be released, means for releasably holding said tray in its shell-loading position, said shell carrying means acting to retain said series of shells while said tray moving to said lower position and means operable to simultaneously release said driving means and said tray holding means.

2. Shell-feeding mechanism fora gun having a tube-and-breech assembly mounted for recoil, comprising a support positioned rearwardly and .to one side of the gun, means on said support at a level above the extended axis of the tube-andbreech assembly for carrying a series of shells one above the other, a shell tray, means mounting said tray on said support rearwardly of the gun for movement from an upper position adiacent said shell-carrying'means to receive a shell from said series to a lower shell-delivery position generally aligned axially with the tube-andbreech assembly and remote from said shellcarrying means, drivingmeans powered by the recoilof the tube-and-breech assembly and operable to actuate said tray-moving meansl upwardly to shell receiving position, means operated in response to movement of said tray upwardly to actuate said shell-carrying meansl and thereby deposit a shell from said series into said tray andsimultaneously advance said series of shells to'k position another shell in position for loading onto said tray, and manually-controlled means operable to releasably lock said tray in shell-receiving position, said lastrnamed means whenv operated to release said tray also releasing said driving means'.y

3. Shell-feeding mechanism for a recoiling gun mounted for movement in recoil and counterrecoil, comprising a support, means on said support for carrying a series of shells, a shell tray, means mounting said tray on said supportv for pivotal movement on an axis parallel witlithe bore of said gun from a position. adjacent said series of shells to receive a shell therefrom to a position substantially coaxial with the bore of said gun energy-storingv means on said support, means connecting said energy-storing means to said tray for moving saidtray to shellreceiving position, means powered by recoil of thegun to energize saidenergy-storing means', means for releasably locking said energy-storing means after energizing thereof, means for releasing said locking means to eiect movement. of said tray to shell-receiving position by said energy-storing means, means for depositing a shell from said series' onto said tray in response to movement of said tray to shell-receiving position, means connected to and powered by said energy-storing means for advancing another shell to discharge position, and manually controllable means for releasably locking said tray and shell received thereby in shell-receiving position.

4. Shell-feeding mechanism for a gun mounted for reciprocation in recoil and counterrecoil. comprising a support, means on said support for carrying a series of shells, a shell tray, means mounting said tray on said support for movement from a position adjacent said series of shells to receive a shell therefrom to a position for loading said shell into said gun by axial movement of said shell, energy-storing means on said support, means connecting said energy-storing means to said tray for moving said tray to shell-receiving position,V means driven in response to recoil of the gun to energize said energy-storing means, means releasably locking said energy-storing means after energzation thereof, means movable as a unit with said shell tray and effective only when said tray is in shellloading'position for releasing said locking means to permit movement of said tray to shell-receiving position by reaction of said energy-storing means, means responsive to movement of said energy-storing means for operating said shellcarrying means, to thereby deposit a shell from said series into said tray as said tray moves into shell-receiving position, and means for releasably locking said Vtray and shell received thereby in shell-receiving position.

5. Shell-feeding mechanism for a gun mounted for reciprocation in recoil and counterrecoil, comprising a support, means on said support for carrying a series of shells in horizontal superposedrelation, a shell tray. means mounting said tray on said support for vertical oscillatory movement from an upper position adjacent said series of shells to receive the lowermost of said shells to a lower shell-delivery position where said shell may be loaded into. said gun by axial translation, spring means on said support, means connecting said spring means to said tray for moving said tray upwardly from shell-delivery position to shell-receiving position, means powered by recoil of the gun to load said spring means, means for releasably locking said spring means after loading thereof, means carried by said tray and operable only when the same is in shell-delivery position for releasing said locking means to eiect movement of said tray upwardly to shell-receiving position by reaction of said spring means, and means operated in response to movement of said tray to shell-receiving position for driving said shell-carrying means to thereby deposit a shell from said series into said Vtray upon movement of said tray.

6. Shell-feeding mechanism for a gun having a breech, comprising a support, means on said support at a level above the axis of said breech for carrying a series of shells one above the other with their axes generally horizontal, a shell tray, means mounting said tray on said support for vertical movement on a pivot axis parallel with the bore of said gun, from an upper vrposition to receive the lowermost shell from said series of shells to a lower position from which a shell may be delivered axially to the breech of the gun, sp'ring means for' moving.' said tray upwardly to shell-receivingposition, feed screw Vmeans for retaining-said lowermostshell while said tray is moving to 4and in shell-delivery position, said feed screw means being operated in response to movement .of said tray to shellreceiving position to deposit said lowermost shell into said tray, andv means operable only when said tray is in shell-loading position for releasing said spring means.

k7. Shell-feeding mechanism for a gun mounted for reciprocation in` recoil and counterrecoil, comprising a support, means on said support at a level above the axis of the breech of said gun for carrying a series of shells one above the other With their axes generally horizontal, a shelltray, means mounting saidgtray on said support for vertical movementqabout ,anY axis parallel with the bore of said gun, from an upper position to receive the lowermostf shell from said series of shells to a lower position from which a shell may be delivered axially to the breech of the gun,spring means for moving said tray upwardly to shell-receiving position, said shellcarrying means acting to retain said shells immovable while said tray is in shell-delivery position, means responsive to movement of said tray-moving means to shell-receiving position to operate said shell-carrying means to deposit said lowermost shell into said tray, releasable means for locking said tray in shell-receiving position, and means for releasing said releasable means so that said tray. and shell may move by gravity to shell-delivery position.

8. In a shell-feeding mechanismkfor a gun, a support, feed screw means on said support for carrying aseries ofl shells in position laterally spaced from said gun, a shell tray mounted on said support for movement from a rst position adjacent said shells to receive a shell therefrom, to a second position in which a shell thereon may be rammed into said gun, power means operable to move said tray from said second to said rst position and simultaneously operate said feed screw means, to deposit a shell in said tray as the tray arrives at said first positionl and meansv carried by said-support and tray and operable only when said tray is in said second position for rendering said power means operable.

9. Shell-feeding mechanismvfor a gun, comprising asupport, means on said support for carrying a series of shells, a shell tray, means mounting said tray on said support for movement from a shell-receiving position adjacent said series of shells to a shell-delivery position remote from said series of shells, energy-storing means on said support, means for loading said energy-storing means, rstV releasable locking means on said support for locking said energystoring means upon loading thereof, second releasable locking means on said support forV locking said tray in shell-receiving position, means for releasing said second locking means to'permit gravitational movement of said tray and shell received thereby to shell-delivery position,'

said means for releasing being operable to release said energy-storing means when saidtray is in shell-delivery position only, and means driven. -by said energy-storing means when released, to return said tray to shell-receiving position'.

10. In a shell-feeding mechanism for an automatic gun, a-support, means on said support to carry a plurality of shells and to progressively move the same tov a shell-depositing position remote from the gun, a shell tray, means pivoting said tray on said support for movement from a first position to receive a shell at said shelldepositing position, ,toV a second or shell-loading position, energy-storing means on said support, means responsive to recoil of the gun for loading said energy-storing means, latch means on said support for releasably locking said energystoring means when loaded, locking means Ycarried by said tray to releasably lock the same in either said rst or second position, said locking means being operable when said tray is in second position only to operate said latch means and release said energy-storing means, and means driven by said energy-storing means to move said tray from second to rst position.

11. Shell-feeding mechanism for a gun, comprising a support, means on said support for carrying a series of shells, a shell tray, means mounting said tray on said support for movement from a shell-receiving position adjacent said series of shells to a shell delivery position remote from said series of Shells, energy-storing means on said support, means for loading said energystoring means, first releasable locking means on said support for locking said energy-storing means upon loading thereof, second releasable locking means on said support for locking said tray in shell-receiving position, means on said tray cooperable with said second locking means when said tray is in shell-receiving position for releasing said tray to permit gravitational movement thereof to shell-delivery position and cooperable with said rst locking means when said tray is in shell-delivery position for releasing said energy-storing means for reaction, and means connected to said tray and operable to move said tray to shell-receiving position and simultaneously to actuate said shell-carrying means to advance another shell to position to be received by said tray.

12. Shell-feeding mechanism for a gun, comprising a support, means on said support for carrying a series of shells, a shell tray, means mounting said tray on said support for movement from a shell-receiving position adjacent said series of shells to a shell-delivery position remote from said series of shells, driving means 0n said support for moving said tray to shellreceiving position, releasable locking means on said support for locking said tray in shell-receiving position, means on said tray cooperable with said locking means when said tray is in shellreceiving position for releasing said tray to permit gravitational movement of said tray to shelldelivery position, said last-named means being operable when said tray is in shell-delivery position only to activate said driving means to return said tray to shell-receiving position.

13. Shell-feeding mechanism for a gun, comprising a support, a pair of parallel, rotatable Screw members for carrying a series of shells transversely thereon, a shell tray, means mounting said tray on said support for movement from a shell-receiving position adjacent said screw members to receive a shell therefrom to a shelldelivery position remote from said screw members, meansfor moving said tray, a` Vdrive shaft formed with a helix, means connecting said shaft to one of said screw members for rotation thereof, drive means movable axially onsaid shaft and engageable with the'helix thereon, means Yconnecting said drive means and said tray'for Inovlng said drive means to rotate said shaft upon movement of said trayv to'shell-receiving position, and. means connecting said screw members for rotation together; f

14. Shell-feeding mechanism for a gun, comprising a`support,'a rotatable screw member for carrying a series of; shells transversely thereon, aY shell tray, means mounting said tray on said support for movementfrom a shell-receiving position adjacent 'said screw member to receive a shell therefrom to a shell-delivery position remote from lsaid Ascrew member," means for moving said tray, a drive shaft formed with a helix, means connecting saidshaft to said screw member for rotation thereof, drive means movable axially on said shaft and. engageablev with the helix thereon, and meansconnecting said drive means and .said tray for moving said drive means to rotatel saidl shaft uponimovementof saidtray to shell-receiving position.

15.v Shell-feeding mechanism for a gun having a recoilingr tube-and-breech assembly, comprising a support, means for carrying a series of shells at a level above andspaced transversely to one side of the extended axis Vof the tube-and-breech assembly, means on said support and connected to said shell-carrying means for feeding shells successively downwardly, tray means movable transversely on said support from a first position adjacent said shell-carrying means to a second position rearwardly' of and generally in axial alignment with the tube-and-brecch assembly for conveying shells successively from said shell-carrying means into position for loading into the gun, means powered by recoil of the tube-and-breech assembly for driving said tray means to' rst position,- and a driving connection between said .shell-carrying means and said tray means for driving said shell-carrying means to feed a shell to said tray means simultaneously with movement thereof to first position.

16..Shellfeeding mechanism fora gun having a recoiling tube-and-breech assembly, comprising a support, means on said support including a pair of vertical reversely rotatable parallel feed screws for carrying a series of shells horizontally one above the other,'a drive shaft journaled on said support, means connecting said shaft tosaid screws, a drive member rockable on said support and arranged to be rocked by recoil of the gun, and drive means connected between said rockable member and said drive shaft.A l

17. Shell-feeding mechanism for a gun having a recoiling tube-and-breech assembly, comprising a support, means onsaid .support including a pair ofvertical reversely rotatable parallel feed screws for carrying a series of shells horizontally one above the other, a'drive shaft journaled on said support, means connecting said shaft to said screws, a cam member rockably mounted' on said support and arranged to be vactuated by the recoiling tube-and-breech assembly of the gun, a shell tray, means mounting said tray on said supportfor movement from a shell-receiving posi-V ing means for reactionto move said tray to its shell-receiving position and consequently to drive said drive shaft and rotateA said vfeed screws for 2G. advancing the. series of shells carriedby. said feed screws.

18. Shell-feeding mechanism for a gun having a recoiling tub'e-and-breech assembly,- comprising a support, meansr on. said support including a pair of vertical, reversely Vrotatable parallelj feed screws for carrying aseries of shells in side-byside relationship transversely thereof, a drive shaft journaled on said support, means connecting said shaft to said screws, a drive member rockable on said support and. arranged to be rocked by recoil of the gun. and` drive means connected between said rockablef member and said drive shaft. I

19. Shell-feeding mechanism for a. gun having a recoiling tube-and-breech assembly, comprising af support, means on said support including 'a pair of reversely'rotatable parallel -feed screws for carrying a series of shells in side-by-siderelationship transversely' thereof, a drive shaft journaled on said support, means connecting 'said shaft to saidl screws to rotate the same, aV cam member rockably mountedon said supportv and arranged to be actuated bythe recoilingtubeand-breech assembly of the gun, a shelltray, means mounting said tray onsaid support for movement from a shell-receiving position adjacent the delivery ends of said feed'screws to` a shell-delivery positionV adjacentr the. tube-andbreech assembly, energy-storing means 'on said support, means connected between said energystoring means and said camY member to'loa'd said energy-storingmeans upon rocking o f said cam member, releasable means forll'o'clringv saiden ergy-storingv means when loaded," drive means connected between said energy-storing means. said tray and said drive-shaft, and means operable only in shell-delivery position of said tray, for releasing said locking 'means' for releasing said energy-storing means" for reaction to' move said tray to its shell-receiving' position and consequently to drive said drive shaft :and rotate said feed screws for advancing the series of shells carried by said'feed screws.

20. In a shell-feedingrnechanism, a support, feed Vmeans including a pair o'f'spaced, parallel feed screws rotatably carried by'said support',- said screws being formed to'carry a series of shells' arranged in side-by-'side relationship withv their axes normal tosaid feed screws,meansv connecting said feed screws forsynchronou's rotation' tov advance the shells' downwardly for releaseat one end of said feed screws, means forro'tating said feed screws, and means carried; by said sup'- port and cooperable with said feed screws `t`o retain and guide thefshells therealong in stacke'i,l side-,byvside relation, said means being formed `rin the vicinity of the release endfsafid feed means with guide means for'the'rele'ase of Ashells 'from said feed screws.

21. In a lshell-feeding mechanism, a generally. vertical supporting structure, afpairof'L-t'rans- Verselyspaced, parallel, vertical feedscrewsiro tatably carried by 'said support, said screws being formed to'carry a series of shells-.arranged horizontally one above the other inl'sideaby-sidey relationship withv their axes normal to said feedy screws, means connecting said feed screws...for. synchronous rotation. in. opposite E directions to advance the shells downwardlyfor. release at the.

lower ends of said feed screws, means for rotating said feed screws, and means. 'cariedby said support and cooperable withsaid.feed.screws1,to' .re1 tain and, guideV the. shells, said jmeansb eigng, formed in ,the .vicinitypfLthe lowerfends of said,

2l feed screws to release shells from said feed screws.

22. In a shell-feeding device for a gun, a support, first means on said support for carrying a plurality of shells and for feeding the same successively to a first position for release therefrom, a shell-carrying tray movable from said first position to a second position in which a shell thereon may be rammed into the gun, a guide plate pivoted on said support, a lever pivoted on said tray and having a first shell-engaging varm and a second plate-engaging arm, said second arm engaging one side of said plate to urge said first arm into position engaging and holding a shell in said tray as said tray moves from first to second position, said second arm engaging the other side of said plate to hold said first arm out of shell-engaging position whereby a shell may be deposited on said tray as said tray moves from second to first position and means responsive to movement of said tray from second to first position to operate said rst means to deposit a shell in said tray as the latter moves into first position.

23. In a shell-feeding mechanism for an automatic gun, a support, means on said support for carrying a plurality of shells and for feeding the same in succession to a first position for release therefrom, a shell tray, means pivoting said shell tray on said support on a first axis for movement from said first position to a second position where a shell thereon may be rammed into the gun, a guide plate pivoted on said support on a second axis in the plane of said plate and parallel with said first axis, a bellcrank pivoted on said tray and having a first shell-engaging arm and a second plate-engaging arm, spring means urging said bellcrank into position where said first arm engages and holdsa shell on said tray, said plate and second arm cooperating to move said first arm out of shell-engaging position as said tray moves from second to first position.

24. In a shell-feeding mechanism for a gun mounted for recoil and counterrecoil, means including a pair of parallel feed screws-for carrying and simultaneously moving a series of shells in parallel stacked relation, a shell tray pivotable on an axis parallel with the bore of said gun from a first position to receive the lowermost shell of said series, to a second position in which said shell is aligned with the barrel of said gun, means for maintaining a shell in said tray while said tray is moving from said first position to said second position, said means comprising a bellcrank pivoted on said tray and having a first arm adapted to engage a shell in said tray and a plate yielding mounted adjacent and engaged by the second arm of said bellcrank to urge said first Varm into engagement with a shell in said tray while the tray is moving from said first to said second position, said second arm engaging the other side of said plate to maintain said first arm in open position while said tray is moving from said second to said first position.

25. In a shell-feeding device for a gun, a tube, means fixedly mounting said tube parallel with the gun rearwardly and laterally thereof, a frame upstanding from said tube and fixedly carried thereby, a pair of spaced parallel vertical feed screws journaled in said frame, means connecting saidscrews for synchronous rotation, means cooperating with said screws to hold a series of shells within the convolutions thereof in spaced parallel superposed relation, a shaft connected for synchronous rotation with said feed screws, there being a spiral groove in and extending through 360 about said shaft and a straight longitudinal groove connecting the ends of the spiral groove, a slide mounted for translation only on and along said shaft, a rider carried by said slide and adapted to traverse said grooves as said slide reciprocates on said shaft in opposite directions, respectively, a shell tray mounted in said frame for pivotal movement about an axis parallel with said tube from a first shellreceiving position adjacent the lower end of said screws to receive a shell therefrom, to a second shell-loading position wherein a shell carried thereby is positioned for ramming into the breech of the gun, spring driving mechanism, means adapted to be operated by recoil of the gun to energize the spring of said driving mechanism, a spring latch carried by said driving mechanism and automatically operable to hold the spring thereof in energized position, means including a release rod slidable on said tray for releasably holding said tray either in first or second of said positions, a solenoid carried by said tray, an operating connection between said solenoid and release rod, said release rod being in cooperative relation with said spring latch to operate the same only when said tray is in second position, whereby a first energization of said solenoid releases said tray from first position for movement under gravity to second position, and a second energization of said solenoid (1) releases said tray from second position and (2) operates said spring latch to release the same and permit said spring driving mechanism to operate said slide and return said tray to first position while simultaneously driving said feed screws to feed a shell into said tray as the latter arrives at first position.

SIGMUND SCHIFF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Numberv Name Date 702,240 Noble June 10, 1902 738,666 Dawson et al. Sept. 8, 1903 858,745 McClean July 2, 1907 1,312,048 Redpath Aug. 5, 1919 1,360,523 Hadcocl: et al. Nov. 30, 1920 1,413,694 Vollmer Apr. 25, 1922 1,674,370 Methlin June 19, 1928 1,682,323 Conlon Aug. 28, 1928 2,122,423 Joyce July 5, 1938 2,460,384 Haas Feb. 1, 1949 

